Stiffer anti-carnapping law for car owners’ peace of mind—Poe

Senator Grace Poe expressed hopes on Wednesday that the new and comprehensive Anti-Carnapping Act, which has lapsed into law, would not only hinder the commission of the crime but would also give vehicle owners peace of mind.

Poe said the new administration has allowed Republic Act (RA) No. 10883—to lapse into law, which has been enrolled in Malacañang before former president Benigno Aquino III stepped down. Under the Constitution, she said, the President has 30 days to sign or veto a measure approved by Congress.

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“It is our hope that this new and comprehensive anti-carnapping law imposing much stiffer penalties, alongside strict implementation by our law enforcers, will hinder the commission of this crime and give vehicle owners peace of mind,” she said in a statement.READ: Stiffer anti-carnapping law includes life imprisonment

Poe, former chair of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs in the 16th Congress and sponsor of the measure in the chamber, said the new law, which repeals RA 6539 otherwise known as the The Anti-Carnapping Act of 1972, would take effect 15 days after publication.

She pointed out that under the law, a person found guilty of car theft would be penalized with 20 to 30 years of jail term, while the old law only imposes 14 years and eight months to 17 years and four months imprisonment.

“If violence, intimidation or use of force were used, the person found guilty would be imprisoned for 30 years and one day to 40 years. When the owner, driver, occupant of the carnapped motor vehicle was killed or raped, the person found guilty would be sentenced to life imprisonment,” the senator said of the law.

“On the other hand, any person involved in the concealment of the crime of carnapping would be imprisoned from six to 12 years and fined with the acquisition cost of the motor vehicle, engine or any other part involved in the violation.”

Poe said the law also considers carnapping a non-bailable offense especially if evidence of guilt is strong. Public officials involved in carnapping, she said, also face dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from public office.

It also requires those asking for the original registration of a vehicle to apply for clearance from the Philippine National Police and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Also under the law, the LTO is mandated to keep a permanent registry of motor vehicles, motor vehicle engines, engine blocks and chassis of all motor vehicles stating the type, make, serial numbers as well as the names and addresses of the vehicles’ present and previous owners.

Poe said tampering of serial numbers and transfer of vehicle plates without approval from the LTO will also be considered a criminal act under the measure.

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The law, she said, also penalizes the sale of secondhand spare parts obtained from a carnapped vehicle as well as the identity transfer of parts of a vehicle declared a total wreck. IDL

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